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This
window was unveiled and dedicated by the Bishop of Lichfield
on Sunday July 31st 1949. A thousand people were at the
service in the church, while 5000 followed the dedication
in the churchyard. The window cost over £1200 and
is in memory of all those who died in World War 11 1939
– 1945.
It was designed by Gerald E.R. Smith who describes it thus:
‘The focal point of the design of the windows
is on the figure of the Risen Christ in Glory and symbolises
the Victory over Evil. Our Lord is shown in the Tree of
Life, the branches of which spread into the outer lights
and the leaves are for the healing of the Nation.'
The general theme is the Te Deum and the figures represented
each at the top, the Prophets, represented by Isaiah on
the left and St. John the Baptist on the right, next the
Glorious Company of the Apostles, Saints Peter, John and
Paul. In the group is included the blessed Virgin Mary,
next to St. Peter. Below again are the two figures representing
the Noble Army of Martyrs, St. Stephen, first Christian
martyr, on the left, and St. Alban, the first English martyr,
on the right. With these two are St. Editha, the Saint to
whom the Church is dedicated and St. Chad, from Lichfield
Cathedral.
‘The base of the window suggests the Holy Church throughout
all the World, in the outer lights it is depicted by representative
types of all those who ultimately overcame the evil against
which they were fighting. From left to right can be seen
a miner, fireman, wren, sailor, an ATS, and a Tommy with
the Union Jack. In the foreground is an aged woman and child.
Immediately above is St. Nicholas, the Patron Saint of Sailors.
In the right hand light are policemen, a munition worker,
a WRAF and a pilot with the RAuxAF, a nurse, a Padre and
in the foreground a Land Army girl. Above them is Archangel
St. Michael, who is Patron Saint of all airmen. At the base
centre light is the figure of St. George with the defeated
dragon below him
The ornament behind these groups is symbolic of the gateway
to the heavenly City and beyond this is the Rising Sun of
Hope. In the centre light are the arms of the Province of
Canterbury and the Diocese of Lichfield. Standing on the
gateway are two angels, between which is the Pascal Lamb.
Hanging on the tree above the figure of our Lord is the
Crusaders Sword, on the hilt of which hangs the crown of
Thorns, while at the extreme top of the tree is the Pelican,
a symbol of Sacrifice and Redemption. The Holy Spirit in
the form of a Dove surmounts the whole theme in the top
tracery.’ |